One evening, my husband, Jim, casually mentioned that his priest had suggested he look into becoming a deacon in the Catholic Church. He thought it sounded like something he’d want to consider.

Sure, honey, I said, sort of absently.

Well, hold on, he said. The training is pretty significant – four years, including monthly weekend trips to a seminary in Missouri for classes, another monthly Saturday class in the Des Moines Diocese and a full week of summer school every August.

I thought it sounded like the National Guard, but I nodded. Whatever you want to do, dear, we’ll make it work.”

Um, well, here’s the thing, he said. The wives of wanna-be deacons have to go through the entire training program, too. They have to attend all the seminary classes, do all the assignments, participate in the projects. Read More here

I think my neighbors heard me laughing. If I had known what being the wife of a Deacon in Training, AKA DITS, would entail for four very, very long and difficult years, I do not know if I would have given my assent. God kept me ignorant for a reason.

Kathy’s article is well worth the read. She makes a good case for a limited partnership between faith and politics, and she makes a keen observation about the human condition:

“I’ve been inspired by people who dedicate their lives to serving others and have begun to realize how much more we all can do. Here’s a little secret: Focusing on other people makes your personal problems fade into the background.

This experience has made me long to hear something more from our politicians – something that inspires more of us to look beyond ourselves and give service a try.”

Kathy’s column is always excellent and thought provoking even when I don’t agree with her. Keep up the good work Kathy. And heartfelt congratulations to Jim (and you) on his ordination.

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About Susan Kehoe

I am the wife of a Catholic deacon living in Des Moines Iowa. My husband Larry was ordained in 2006.
We have two children and five grandchildren.. Our daughter and her family live in Ireland, and our son and his family live in Franklin Massachusetts.